Pls advise - NY Bar Admission - Character and Fitness Forum

[Nybar2015]

I am a foreign lawyer and was working in USA 5 years ago. I did not know that I had to pay my taxes before I left the country reason being I thought they were already deducted from my salary. I only worked 6 months that year and had to leave the country for personal reasons. Recently I moved back to the USA and the IRS deducted my tax dues last year and it was about $2000. I also had one credit card payment of $150 which I missed since 2009. I received a letter from a debt collection agency about the due in Jan 2016 and I paid it immediately. My credit score is POOR. I do not have any more debts since Jan 2016.

I passed the NY bar this Feb and recently submitted my admissions application. I mentioned in the application that I have no debts over 90 days (true) and no unsatisfied judgments (true). I am shitting myself if my admission would be denied because of the poor credit score and non-payment of tax for so long in the past, although everything has been cleared now. Would they question me about all these transactions?? wondering if I should consult an attorney or just wait until i hear from them??

[MailboxCrusher]

If you answered the questions honestly then you have nothing to worry about. If they want more information they will ask but I think you should be good.

[kellyfrost]

I am a foreign lawyer and was working in USA 5 years ago. I did not know that I had to pay my taxes before I left the country reason being I thought they were already deducted from my salary. I only worked 6 months that year and had to leave the country for personal reasons. Recently I moved back to the USA and the IRS deducted my tax dues last year and it was about $2000. I also had one credit card payment of $150 which I missed since 2009. I received a letter from a debt collection agency about the due in Jan 2016 and I paid it immediately. My credit score is POOR. I do not have any more debts since Jan 2016.

I passed the NY bar this Feb and recently submitted my admissions application. I mentioned in the application that I have no debts over 90 days (true) and no unsatisfied judgments (true). I am shitting myself if my admission would be denied because of the poor credit score and non-payment of tax for so long in the past, although everything has been cleared now. Would they question me about all these transactions?? wondering if I should consult an attorney or just wait until i hear from them??

Why is your credit score so POOR if you have no delinquent debts or unsatisfied judgments?

[Nybar2015]

I am a foreign lawyer and was working in USA 5 years ago. I did not know that I had to pay my taxes before I left the country reason being I thought they were already deducted from my salary. I only worked 6 months that year and had to leave the country for personal reasons. Recently I moved back to the USA and the IRS deducted my tax dues last year and it was about $2000. I also had one credit card payment of $150 which I missed since 2009. I received a letter from a debt collection agency about the due in Jan 2016 and I paid it immediately. My credit score is POOR. I do not have any more debts since Jan 2016.

I passed the NY bar this Feb and recently submitted my admissions application. I mentioned in the application that I have no debts over 90 days (true) and no unsatisfied judgments (true). I am shitting myself if my admission would be denied because of the poor credit score and non-payment of tax for so long in the past, although everything has been cleared now. Would they question me about all these transactions?? wondering if I should consult an attorney or just wait until i hear from them??

Why is your credit score so POOR if you have no delinquent debts or unsatisfied judgments?

Guess its because of my defaults until 2009. I have no dues now but I did not open/use any credit card after entering into the country in 2014.

[Nybar2015]

If you answered the questions honestly then you have nothing to worry about. If they want more information they will ask but I think you should be good.

Thank you and hope so.

[thegrayman]

If you were honest I think you will be fine. You might get a question about it at your interview, but honesty is key and if you answered the questions that were asked I'm not sure how they would hold that against you. Best of luck.